Ride1UP’s Portola is a folding electric bike with a compact frame, knobbly fat tires and suspension, and plenty of power for its high rack capacity of 130lb.
The Portola commuter e-bike performs best in urban environments but can also handle light off-road terrain, making it suitable for taking along on extended road trips.
Ride1UP’s first attempt at a folder looks successful, and we’re excited to see how the Portola performs in long-term testing.
In this Ride1UP Portola review, we’ll cover the bike’s main features and specs, compare it to the competition, and offer our verdict on whether or not it’s worth the money.
Ride1UP Portola Main Specs
Ride1UP’s impressive design and well-thought-out component choices make the Portola, at this price point, extremely good value for money and a great option for those looking to get into e-biking.
The 130lb rack capacity, full setup of commuter accessories, convenient folding design, and powerful motor contribute to a well-rounded e-bike.
Here’s a list of the main specs and accessories:
- Motor: 750W, 65 Nm Hub motor
- Battery: 48V, 10.4Ah (500 Wh), or 13.4Ah (643 Wh)
- Range: 20-45 miles (depending on model)
- Charge time: 5 or 7 hours
- Top speed: 28 mph
- Weight capacity: 330 lb
- Bike weight: 60 lb
- Fork: Suspension fork with 80 mm travel
- Drivetrain: 7-speed, 11–28T cassette
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors
- Tires: 26 x 3”
- Accessories: Fenders, lights, thumb throttle, folding pedals, integrated rear rack, and kickstand
Contents
Detailed Ride1UP Portola Review
Compact Folding Frame and Wide Height Range
The Ride1UP Portola is a folding electric bike designed for commuter convenience and practicality for those with limited storage space for their bike.
A great feature of the Ride1UP Portola is its adaptable geometry that suits a huge range of heights. With a stated height range of 4’10” to 6’4”, this bike covers the majority of buyers.
Related: The Best Electric Folding Bikes to Consider
This is achieved with a broad seat height range, so the Portola can be quickly adjusted for a comfortable position. Unfortunately, however, the stem isn’t adjustable.
What stands out about the Ride1UP Portola is its foldability. It’s very easy to fold for storage. When packed down, it measures 19” x 29.5” x 33” (W x H x L) and fits unobtrusively in almost any apartment.
One point of note here is the weight of the Ride1UP Portola; at 60 lb, it might be a little heavy for some. However, this weight is about average for electric folders at this price point.
Components Suitable for Mixed-Terrain Commuting
The Portola’s knobbly 3-inch tires and 80 mm suspension fork mean it can comfortably handle gravel roads. This fork even has a lockout feature for more efficient riding on pavement.
Its 8-speed Shimano Altus gearing is above average for this price, and with a cassette range of 11-32t and 48t chainring, it has a good spread of gears for hills and high-speed pedaling.
The Ride1UP Portola excels with its versatile 3-inch tires and adaptable suspension, complemented by a robust gearing system and a cargo-friendly design.
The Portola even offers potential as a cargo bike with its integrated rear rack supporting an impressive 130lb. Optional pannier bags or a front rack would further increase the bike’s functionality as a cargo machine.
Finally, the aluminum fenders mean clean commuting and improved longevity for the frame and components.
Decent Price-Appropriate Electronics
Depending on which model you go for, you’ll get a 10.4Ah, 500Wh battery ($995) that can last up to 40 miles or a 13.4Ah, 634Wh ($1,095) battery with a max range of 45 miles.
Moreover, you can choose between using the 20 mph-max thumb throttle or pedal assist for speeds up to 28 mph from the 750W, 60 Nm motor. This powerful motor is necessary to take advantage of the high payload capacity and overcome the inefficiency of the knobbly tires and high weight.
Unfortunately, the Portola does not have a color display, but that’s not a surprise considering the affordable price. Still, the existing LCD display is very practical, allowing you to control the lights, track ride info, and adjust the top speed, among other things.
Ride1UP Portola vs. Competitors: Key Differences
In this section, we’ll compare the Ride1UP Portola to folding commuter e-bikes from two of its main competitors: Aventon and Lectric.
Ride1UP Portola vs. Lectric XP 3.0
The XP 3.0 is the brand’s flagship model. This company competes by offering budget prices, but Ride1UP has pretty much matched the price while exceeding the quality.
Both bikes come fully equipped for commuting with high-capacity integrated rear racks for carrying cargo or passengers, lights, and fenders.
The Portola is slightly more compact, powerful, lightweight, and refined in its appearance. However, it doesn’t have as much adjustability as the XP 3.0, and the high-capacity battery version returns 20 miles less (45 vs. 65 miles).
Consider the XP 3.0 over the Portola if you want more range but don’t care about looks.
Ride1UP Portola vs. Aventon Sinch.2
Ride1UP Portola and Aventon Sinch.2 differ greatly in price, with the latter costing roughly $800 more. However, they are both comfortable folding commuters.
Both bikes come with lights, fenders, and a rear rack, but the Portola’s rack is integrated, massively increasing the carrying capacity.
The Ride1UP Portola’s 3-inch treaded tires also provide grip over more varied terrain than the 4-inch slick tires on the Sinch.2, which have less rolling resistance in the city. The Portola is lighter, with a more compact frame when folded and a higher top speed, thanks to the 750W motor (vs. the Sinch.2’s 500W motor).
While the Ride1UP Portola offers a more budget-friendly, versatile ride with superior carrying capacity and varied terrain handling, the Aventon Sinch.2 shines with its longer range and smoother ride, though at a higher price point.
Where the Sinch excels is its range (55 miles) and torque-sensing drive, which results in a more responsive, smoother ride quality than the Portola. Choose the Sinch.2 if you want a smoother, longer-lasting ride but you’re not as concerned with power or portability.
Final Verdict
Ride1Up Portola is a high-value e-bike suitable for commuting or leisure riding. Its compact folding frame will easily fit in the back of a car, the corner of the office, or an apartment wardrobe.
The suspension fork and plush 3-inch tires make it comfortable and capable of handling light off-road terrain.
Despite the budget-level pricing, Ride1UP has managed to design a stylish and practical e-bike with solid components throughout, making this a commuter e-bike suitable for a wide range of riders.
Buy on Ride1UP.comRide1UP Portola
from $995
Pros
- Suitable for versatile use
- High rack capacity
- Powerful 750W motor
- A compact foldable design
- Two battery options
Cons
- No color display
- Weighs 60 lb
- Limited adjustability
